INVERNESS, FLORIDA – BICYCLE SUMMARY

The Inverness, Florida mixed use property can be known as a healty targeted destination development. The former State Plaza presents a unique opportunity to immediately capture and service leisure bicycle riders visiting the area. The site, located at the intersection of US 41 and Mossy Oaks Drive, is also a few minutes from the Ft Cooper State Park which attracts 100,000 visitors annually.

The City of Inverness strongly advocates for bicycling as an active form of recreation and transportation. Inverness is an award-winning “bike friendly city”. In 2016, the League of American Bicyclists recognized the City of Inverness with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Business award. “Inverness is committed to being a bike-friendly city, and is dedicated to the future of cycling.” (1)

Due to the strong cycling infrastructure in the city, the proximity to various regional bicycle trails, and several organized cycling events, many leisure cyclists choose Inverness as their travel destination.

There are literally hundreds of miles of designated bicycle trails located in Citrus county. Inverness is the county seat. Citrus and neighboring Hernando County collaborated to create a Bikeways and Trails Master Plan that was adopted in June 2018. One of the goals of the plan is to “Promote tourism and economic opportunities by developing a safe, connected network of biking and walking facilities.” (2)

Counties and cities like Inverness have recognized the economic benefit of accessible bikeways by looking at what is taking place in nearby Florida locations with developed bicycle infrastructure. For example, The Coast-to-Coast Trail that runs between St. Petersburg and Titusville is projected to provide $120 million annual benefit to that Central Florida region. The Pinellas Trail in Dunedin has an estimated 1,000 daily trail users on an average weekend day. This trail has completely transformed the city of Dunedin from economic decline with vacancy rates of 30% to a vibrant attraction with vacancy rates at 1% in 2017. (2)

According to livability.com, “Small cities that invest in bike culture see huge payoffs in health, tourism dollars and quality of life… cycling infrastructure can result in a significant boost to tourism dollars.”

Withlacoochee State Trail

The proposed retail, office, and restaurant property is located directly adjacent to the Withlacoochee State Trail (WST). The eastern edge of the property is bordered by the trail buffer zone. This trail has consistently attracted over 400,000 in annual visitors reaching 491,000 in 2021. The vast majority of these visitors to the trail are bicycle riders. The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 12-foot wide, paved multi-use trail that runs 46 miles through 3 Florida counties. The trail opened for use in 1992 and is currently one of the longest in Florida. It was listed as one of the top ten destination trails in the nation by Trail Traveler magazine in May 2015. The trail extends from Dunnellon to Dade City passing through numerous scenic small towns along the way. (3) The main access points of recreational trails such as the WST are called “trailheads”.

These are designated areas that usually have parking, map kiosks, and often feature restroom facilities, covered shelters and other amenities. Designated trailheads are created and marked as such for trail users, although a trail may be accessed at any point along its route. The nearest designated WST trailhead to the property is the Apopka trailhead in downtown Inverness. This trailhead is approximately 1.5 miles from the property location. To access the Apopka trailhead via automobile from the property, take US 41 north to Inverness and turn left on North Apopka Avenue. The marked trailhead is a few blocks up North Apopka. (4) The property could also become a trailhead as well due to the direct proximity to the WST. Cyclists and other trail users will be attracted to the amenities, shops, restaurants, and businesses which will be tenants.

Great Location for Restaurants

Due to the heavy traffic and tourism in the area and the active nature of the cyclist community, this will make a great spot for restaurants of both the dine in and grab and go nature. Its appropriate to provide healthy options such as The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill and other such establishments to an active and health-conscious community. Healthy and clean eats will draw in the crowd, whether for grab and go as a quick stop along their trail ride or for a great meal after a long day out in nature. Its location adjacent to the trail and major roads makes it the perfect location for locals, tourists, and those just passing through on their way through town.

Rental and Hotel Opportunities

This location provides a unique opportunity to house the growing number of tourists to this cycling area and the chance to offer multiple types of short term stay. This site was determined to be a great spot for a hotel in the near future in a hotel study done in the past few years. Building these facilities into the property creates the opportunity to strongly establish the property as “The Bicycle Hotel” and attract recreational cyclists from around the world who look to central Florida for its year-round cycling climate and vast network of dedicated bicycle paths. Additionally, the 60 feet wide tree line that stretches the length of the property and starts 12 feet from the trail would offer a perfect location for short term rental tree houses. This unique stay, which embraces the natural world would be a large draw for our nature enthused cycling tourists. These have been seen to do well in many other locations around the country.

More About the Area

In addition, construction is scheduled to begin in the near future on a trail connector from Citrus Springs toward SR 41 to the Dunnellon Trail, which is part of the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross-Florida Greenway. When complete, cyclists will be able to begin a ride in Inverness and cycle all the way to the Gulf of Mexico without leaving the safety of a dedicated bicycle trail.

Cyclists also have access to numerous less travelled community roads located in the eastern part of the County surrounding Inverness, which provide scenic views of the 24,000 acre Lake Tsala Apopka chain of lakes. Some of these lakes touch the WST as it winds through downtown Inverness. The proposed hotel is uniquely located within minutes of one of the largest lakes within the chain, and within a short ride of many of the adjacent and connecting lakes.

Additional Facilities Considered for Property

Dedicated Automobile Parking Area
Restroom Access
Drinking Water Access
Bicycle Parking Racks
Bicycle Repair Station
Bicycle Rentals
Sales of Bicycle Accessories and Branded Items
Overnight Bicycle Storage Facility
Food and Beverage Service (including full service & grab-and-go)
Sheltered Seating Area (Outdoor Lounge)
Trash Receptacles
Aesthetic Lighting and Landscaping

Bicycle Attractions Near Inverness

Inverness is an ideal destination for leisure and recreational cyclists due to its proximity to numerous other well-known regional bicycle attractions in addition to the WST. The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross-Florida Greenway mentioned above is a 110-mile recreational greenway system that runs from the St. Johns River near Satsuma to the Gulf of Mexico.

The 42-mile Suncoast Trail runs along the Suncoast Parkway from Hwy 98 in Hernando County south into Hillsborough County. The Trailhead at SR 98 North is just a 30-minute drive from Inverness.

The largest mountain bike trail system in Florida is the Santos Trail System, which has 85 miles of dirt trail and has received the designation of an “Epic Ride” location from the International Mountain Biking Association. This is accessible from the Ross Prairie Trailhead, which is only a 23-minute drive from Inverness. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/santos-trailhead-campground

Bicycle Events
There are a multitude of bicycle events based in Inverness that bring cyclists to the city for potential overnight stays. (5)

Clean Air Bike Ride –
A bicycle ride benefitting the Key Training Center begins at the Inverness Trailhead with stops at Ridge Manor, Istachatta, and Citrus Springs. The Trailhead is 2/10 mile north of the Old Historic Courthouse in downtown Inverness. Cyclists choose from four distances on this springtime nature ride: 14 miles; 28 miles; 48 miles or 100 miles. The event is organized by DRCSports.com and register CleanAirRide.com.

Sunshine Grand Prix & Inverness Criterium –
The Downtown Inverness Criterium is the highlight of the 3-day Sunshine Grand Prix omnium cycling event. The start and finish line is located at Dampier and Apopka Blvd where over 200 pro and amateur cyclists will race through the downtown streets of Inverness for points and prize money. “Bicycle Blvd” is party central for the race and draws crowds from all over the region. Free for spectators. Race participants are required to register in advance. (6)

Rock the Ridge –
The Inverness City Manager heads up a unique cycling tour of the Rock Ridge Phosphate Trail. This free ride includes insights on the history of the phosphate mines along the Withlacoochee State Trail.

Ride of Silence –
The Ride of Silence commemorates cyclists killed and supports those who were injured while riding on public roads. This police-escorted one-hour ride on city streets raises awareness among motorists regarding the dangers cyclists face.

Kids Bike Safety Day –
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office presents bike safety to students at Inverness Middle School during gym class. Students benefit from a hands-on experience with safety exercises and other events which take place throughout the day.

Inverness History Bike Ride –
Inverness Bicycle and Fitness and the City of Inverness jointly offer a tour of Historical sites through the city and beyond.

Bike to Work Day –
Inverness City Staff and Sherri Bechtel of Inverness Bicycle & Fitness offer a ride in the spirit of cycling to work (estimate 30 minutes). The ride ends at Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters with coffee and updates on the future of cycling in Inverness and Citrus County. The event is free and open to the public..

Annual Bike Ride of Rail to Trails –
This event is in its 25^th year. The ride begins and ends at the Inverness Trailhead at 315 N Apopka Ave, Inverness. Continental breakfast is available for cyclists and lunch is also served. There are multiple distances on the trail to choose from. The rides are supported and there are post-ride refreshments available to all. The event is organized by the Rails to Trails nonprofit organization and registration is at rttwst.org.

Hearts for Our Hospital Big Bike Weekend –
Located 27 miles from the hotel property is one of the largest bicycle events in the state. This event has five different route options to accommodate all ability levels. There is also a bicycle expo, a health fair, and live music in the evenings.

With the above base of events, there is great potential to attract more cycling events to Inverness especially with the addition of hotel rooms in the city.

Potential Bicycle Retail Partners

There are a few bicycle retailers in the area who may be willing to partner with a future hotel development to varying degrees. Being able to offer hotel guests access to bicycle rentals and all the related equipment and accessories needed for bike rides would be a valuable service. There is a potential to offer kiosk space to a bicycle retailer on the hotel property to directly service hotel guests and other WST trail users. These bicycle “professionals” could be available on site to offer route suggestions, guide services, and bicycle repairs.

Inverness Bicycle & Fitness – in historic downtown Inverness
Dealer for: Cannondale, Sun, Elipitigo bicycles http://invernessbicycle.com/bicycles/index.html

David’s World Cycle – Inverness at WST trailhead (13-store Florida chain)
Dealer for: Trek, Electra bicycles https://www.davidsworld.com/

Trailside Bike – Floral City
Dealer for: recumbent trikes (no upright bikes) https://www.trailside.bike/

Other Existing “Bicycle Hotel” Properties

The model of a hotel that caters to bicycle riders exists to varying degrees in other locations.

This type of development mindset is already happening in other areas of Florida. In west Orange County, the Oakland Manor House bed and breakfast opened “with plans to offer overnight respites for trail riders. The prospect of capturing groups riding across all – or even parts – of the state was one reason the owners decided to invest in re-purposing the historic home… That was a huge draw.”, said the proprietor. Entrepreneurs across Central Florida have opened inns and bike shops all in hopes of benefitting from the bike paths. (7)

The following accommodations are situated in bicycle-friendly areas and feature amenities specifically for bicycling guests and visitors:

Hotel Domestique – Travelers Rest, SC
Inspired by the world travels of elite professional cyclist and owner, George Hincapie, the hotel offers luxurious stays, cuisine and well-appointed, custom cycling adventures. http://hoteldomestique.com/cycling/

Garda Bike Hotel – Lake Verona, Italy
The bike oriented hotel offers customized services for bicycle tourists including guided bicycle tours and bike rentals for all levels of bicycle enthusiasts. https://www.gardabikehotel.com/en/

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort – Colorado Springs, CO
The Resort is designed as a haven for cyclists and adventurers with cycling events, weekly guided rides, and professional bike coaches. http://bicycleresort.com/

Bicycle Street Inn & Suites – Mackinac Island, MI
Offering bicycle rentals and service from outside providers adjacent to the hotel property, the hotel also provides bicycle storage for overnight guests. http://bicyclestreetinn.com/

References

STATE PLAZA
INVERNESS, FLORIDA